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Investing subreddits are some of the strictest on Reddit about self-promotion, and most ban new accounts that drop links. You can still launch there if you earn standing first, post where tools are allowed, and lead with useful research instead of your product. This playbook walks you through the two weeks before launch, launch day, and the week after.

All guidesFor founders of a stock research tool

1. 14 days before: map the rules, not just the subreddits

Make a list of r/stocks, r/investing, r/ValueInvesting, r/SecurityAnalysis, r/dividends, r/options, r/algotrading and r/SideProject, then read each sidebar and pinned post. Note which ones ban links, which have a weekly self-promo or 'tools' thread, and what karma or account age they require. Write it in a simple table so you never guess on launch day.

2. 14 to 7 days before: build real karma in your niche

Use your personal account, not a brand account, and comment daily on threads where your tool's data helps. If someone asks 'how do I compare free cash flow across 10 years for MSFT?', answer with the actual numbers and the steps, no link. Aim for 20 to 30 substantive comments so moderators and readers see a history, not a drive-by.

3. 7 days before: message the mods first

Pick the two or three subreddits that matter most and send a modmail before you post. Example: 'Hi, I built a free tool that pulls 10-year fundamentals from SEC filings into one screen. I've been commenting here for a couple of weeks. Is there a right place or day to share it, or should I stick to the weekly thread?' A yes from a mod is the best ban insurance you can get.

4. 3 days before: prepare a research post, not an ad

Write one genuinely useful analysis made with your tool, like 'I compared insider buying vs. 12-month returns for 40 small caps. Here's what stood out.' Include the method, the charts, and the limitations. Your tool gets one line at the end: 'I pulled this with a tool I'm building, happy to share if anyone wants to rerun it.'

5. Launch day: post in the allowed places only

Post the full research piece in r/ValueInvesting or r/SecurityAnalysis only if their rules allow it, and drop a short comment in the weekly tools thread of r/stocks or r/investing. On r/SideProject and r/algotrading, be direct: 'I built a stock research tool that shows 10-year fundamentals and insider activity on one page. Free tier, no card. Looking for blunt feedback on what's missing.' Put links in the comments only where the rules prefer that.

6. Launch day: stay in the thread for 6 hours

Reply to every comment in the first hours, especially the critical ones about data accuracy or where your numbers come from. Say plainly what your data source is and what it can't do yet. Never ask friends to upvote. Reddit detects vote rings and that is the fastest way to a sitewide ban.

7. Days 1 to 7 after: turn commenters into users

DM people who asked a real question or gave detailed feedback, but only if they invited follow-up. Example: 'You mentioned wanting debt-to-equity history for banks. I just added it, here's the page for JPM if you want to check it.' Log every feature request in a sheet and ship the small ones within the week.

8. Week 2 onward: keep posting research on a rhythm

Post one data-driven analysis every week or two in subreddits that allow it, and keep commenting without links in between. Over time people will start asking what you used, which is when mentioning your tool feels natural. Hulby, an AI cofounder, can find these threads and draft replies for you each day so the routine doesn't slip.

Mistakes to skip

  • Posting your link from a brand-new account with no comment history.
  • Pasting the same promo post into ten investing subreddits in one hour.
  • Making stock picks or return claims that look like financial advice or a pump.
  • Ignoring the weekly self-promotion thread and posting a standalone ad instead.

Want this done for your stock research tool, every day?

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Questions

Which subreddits actually allow stock tool posts?

Rules change often, so check each sidebar. r/SideProject and r/algotrading are usually open to builders, while r/stocks and r/investing tend to limit tools to designated threads.

Should I use a brand account or my personal one?

Your personal one. Redditors trust a founder who posts as themselves and says so, and brand accounts get flagged faster.

How much karma do I need before launching?

There is no single number. Some subreddits set a minimum, so check the rules, and build a couple of weeks of useful comments in investing subreddits before you post.

What if my post gets removed?

Don't repost it. Send a polite modmail asking what rule it broke, fix it, and ask whether you can resubmit.